Cable terminal



H. O. SHULTS CABLE TERMINAL Oct. 29, 1929.

Filed Feb. 15, 1928 INVENTOR- HERBERT 0 SHI/T5 Patented Oct. 29, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HERBERT O. SHULTS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO E, L. MAN SURE COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS CABLE TERMINAL Application led February 15, 1928.

My invention relates in general to terminals for cables and has more particular reference to a cable terminal adapted to firmly engage the end of a fibrous cable or cord and to provide means for attaching the cable at a desired point Where co-operating means for engaging the terminal is arranged. More specifically my invention relates to a terminal adapted to be firmly and permanently secured in the end of a fibrous rope or cable such as is commonly used in theatres to rope olf spaces, or to provide temporary passages for the convenient handling of crowd movements.

One object of-my invention is the provision of an improved terminal of a form especially adapted to co-operate with the rope end to provide a firm secure attachment therewith, it being understood that cables of the above mentioned type are subjected to heavy loads so that it is of prime importance to provide a secure attachment between the rope and terminal.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cable terminal having a sightly appearance.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a cable terminal having a minimum number of parts, all of which are simple in form and adapted for manufacture on auto'- matic machines.

A still further obj ect of the invention is the provision of a cable terminal comprising a pin'insertable in the end of the cable arid formed in such a manner that the pin will not rotate relative to the cable when secured in place therein.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be understood from the following description which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the invention.

lReferring to the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective View of a cable having terminals embodying my invention attached thereto;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken longitudinally through the end of a cable pro- Serial No. 254,383.

vided with a terminal tion;

Figure 3 is a vertical cross section taken substantially along line 3-3 in Figure 2;

Figure t is a cross sectional view similar to F igure 2 and illustrating a modification of my improved cable terminal; and

Figure 5 is a vertical cross section taken substantially along line 5 5 in Figure 4.

To illustrate my invention, I have shown on the drawings a fibrous cable 1l of the type commonly used in theatres and the like to rope off spaces or to provide temporary passages.

In Figure l, the 'cable is shown detachably secured at either end by means of terminals 13, to cooperating hooks l5 secured to the support members 17 which, in the illustration, consist of a post and a wall. v

The terminals 13 each consist of a rod 27 which may be introduced longitudinally into the end of the cables, the fibres of which may be separated to permit of such introduction. The rod 27 has a body 29 of substantially square cross section and is provided at intervals with annular shoulders 31. After the rod 27 is introduced, as aforesaid, into the end of the cable, the libres of the cable are secured in tight engagement with the sides of the rod by binding means 33, which may consist, as illustrated, of suitable wire or cord wrapped tightly about the cable at points therein substantially midway between the annular shoulders 3l. The binding means 33 secures the libres of the cable in close engagement with the surface of the rod 27, the fibres conforming with the shape of the outer surface thereof, and engaging the annular shoulders 31 in such a manner that the pin cannot thereafter be withdrawn from the end of the libre by any reasonable force. The outer end of the pin, which extends from the end of the cable is formed to provide a shoulder 35 and a cylindrical end portion 25 which is threaded and which extends outwardly from the shoulder.

After the rod 27 has been inserted and secured in the cable end, a washer 47 is slipped over the threaded portion 25 and is seated upon the shoulder 35. A housing 37 comprisembodying my invening cylindrical side walls 39 and a circular end 43 provided with a central opening` 45 is next arranged'upon the threaded portion 25, the threaded portion 25 engaging through the aperture 45 and the side walls 39 of the housing embracing the end of the cable. The lower edges 41 of the side walls 39 of the housing engage the cable at a point below the point at which the binding means 33 is applied so that the housing 37 encloses the end of the cable and the binding means 33 and'provides a sightly appearance by covering up the unsightly binding means 33 and the bulges in the cable caused by the compression thereof about the shoulders 31.

A washer 49 similar to the first mentioned washer is arranged upon the threaded portion 25 of the rod and the remainder of the threaded portion 25 carries an annular ring 19 which is provided at one side with a boss 21 having a threaded socket 23. The threaded end 25 of the rod may be screwed into the` socket 23 in order to secure the annular ring 19 to the terminal. The annular ring 19 provides an attaching means for securing the terminal to the supporting hooks 15 and although I have shown an annular ring, it should be understood that any other form of convenient attaching means may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

In Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings I have shown a modification of the devices heretofore described wherein the rod comprises a cylindrical member 49 as compared with the rod 27 which has a square cross section, and wherein relative movement either rotational or longitudinal of the rod is prevented by means of pins 51 arranged through diametral holes 53 formed in the body of the rod. The pins 51 extend outwardly of the rod 49 and through the fibres of the cable. To secure the fibres of the cable to the rod 49 about the pins 51, I provide suitable binding means 55 comprising, in the illustrated embodiment, cords wrapped tightly about the cable on each side of the pins 51. The upper end of the rod 49 is threaded, as is the rod illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings, and carries washers 47, a housing 39 and a suitable attaching means 19 which are arranged on the rod in a manner similar to the arrangement disclosed in Figure 2. The inner ends of the rod 49 and the rod 29 are pointed as at 57 providing means whereby the rods may be easily inserted longitudinally into the end of the cable.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the cable terminal of my invention is adapted to be quickly and easily arranged in the end of a cable with 'a minimum of effort, that when sok applied it can not vreadily be detached from position or rotated in place and that the arrangement of the sleeve 39 provides a sightly appearance at the end of the cable. It will also be apparent that the terminal construction heretofore described is applicable wherever it is desired to firmly secure a terminal in the end of a fibrous cable, and I do not Wish to limit the scope of my invention to a cable used for any particular purpose.

I-Iaving thus described my invent-ion, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: Y n Y 1. In a cable terminal, a rod arranged longitudinally in the cable, peripheral ridges formed on the rod, means for binding the cable material upon the rod in position to cooperate with said ridges to prevent relative movement of the rod with respect to the cable and the means carried by the rod and extending to enclose the end of the cable and the binding means.

2. In a cable terminal, a rod arrangeable longitudinally in the cable, peripheral ridges formed on the rod and means for binding the cable material upon the rod in such a manner as to cooperate with said ridges to prevent relative movement of the rod with respect to the cable, means arranged in the rod for preventing relative rotation thereof with respect to the cable and the means carried by the rod and extending to enclose the end of the cable and the binding means.

3. In a cable terminal, a rod arrangeable longitudinally in the cable and carrying a member extending laterally therefrom to engage the cable material, means for binding the cable material about said lateral extension whereby to prevent relative rotation and longitudinal movement of the pin with respect to the cable and the means carried by the rod and extending to enclose the end of the cable and the binding means.

4. In a cable terminal, a rod arranged longitudinally in the end of the cable, a member extending radially from the surfaces of said rod, means for binding the cable material about said rod adjacent said radially extending member and means mounted to the rod and extending to enclosethe end of the cable and the binding means.

5. In a cable terminal having a rod longitudinally positioned in the end of a'cable and binding means for securing the cable material about the rod, a housing arranged on the rod and extending to enclose the portions of the cable at which the binding means are applied, said housing being secured between a shoulder formed on the rod and a member having threading engagement with the end of the rod.

6. In a cable terminal, a rod adapted for longitudinal insertion in the cable, a cable engaging portion extending radially from the surfaces of said rod, binding means engaging the outer surfaces of said cable adjacent said radially extending portion, a portion of said rod extending outwardly of the end of said cable and having means formed thereon for attaching the rod to a support member and e housing mounted to the outwardly extending end of the rod and extending to enclose the end of the cable and the binding means.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

HERBERT O. SHULTS 

